Is it true that people "flee" once you tell them you have depression?

[thetwilightzone]

I've heard this alot with people who are drug users is that former close friends who they were open with about anything either distance themselves from them or stopped talking to them entirely/break up the friendship. Similar with family members.

I definitely experienced this. I was doing a course in college and this Hungarian woman who saw that I used benzos for anxiety along with a few weird questions I asked her about whether she'd use coke to keep awake (since it's a stimulant) stopped talking to me. It was gradual.

I think she also has a think against people with mental issues because I might have tol her about that.

 

[BaconCheeseburger]

I haven't had too many people, if anyone, run away from me when I've mentioned my depression. It's definitely a lot more socially acceptable to be mentally ill in 2018 than it was say ten years back.

Being suicidal freaks people out though. I'll start talking and forget how dark I'm being and I think it makes people uncomfortable.

 

[thetwilightzone]

I haven't had too many people, if anyone, run away from me when I've mentioned my depression. It's definitely a lot more socially acceptable to be mentally ill in 2018 than it was say ten years back.

Being suicidal freaks people out though. I'll start talking and forget how dark I'm being and I think it makes people uncomfortable.

Ehh...depends on your social circle. I definitely don't think it's acceptable in general. It's one of those things people are okay with talking about once in a group "but just don't blabber on about it".

 

[BaconCheeseburger]

Ehh...depends on your social circle. I definitely don't think it's acceptable in general. It's one of those things people are okay with talking about once in a group "but just don't blabber on about it".

Where are you from? There's campaigns all across the UK now to normalise mental health and support people more. Maybe I'm just extra aware of them because of how I am

 

[thetwilightzone]

Where are you from? There's campaigns all across the UK now to normalise mental health and support people more. Maybe I'm just extra aware of them because of how I am

Live in Ireland. It's the same in Ireland with mental health campaigns but I think you have to understand there's

1.) Medical Community's attitude

and

2.) Societies attitude

I'd say that although mental health campaigns are going on and people acknowledge them, the same stigma exists among people in society if you really get down to talk to them one to one. It's something that In my experience, people do once a day and then forget about it. Now it may not be all people but I've found that's how a lot of people react to it.

 

[azucaramargo]

I haven't had too many people, if anyone, run away from me when I've mentioned my depression. It's definitely a lot more socially acceptable to be mentally ill in 2018 than it was say ten years back.

Being suicidal freaks people out though. I'll start talking and forget how dark I'm being and I think it makes people uncomfortable.

You said it, BaconCheeseburger. I get tired of masking my "issues". Granted, I don't do a good job masking them, but I feel resentful that I am expected to suffer in silence. Especially around significant others. Screw that! It's a big part of my life--my struggle to stay sane. Not talking about it is painful. I've had people flee. But, I really like to let it all hang out, though. :)

 

[Iwant2sleepforever]

Ever since I told my friend about me being suicidal our friendship has gotten weaker, I messaged her and she put me on read and now I'm depressed about it. I want to cut her off for good now and block her on everything just because.

 

[Iwant2sleepforever]

I blocked her, all she does is add to my depression.

 

[not-2-b-the-answer]

I've heard this alot with people who are drug users is that former close friends who they were open with about anything either distance themselves from them or stopped talking to them entirely/break up the friendship. Similar with family members.

I definitely experienced this. I was doing a course in college and this Hungarian woman who saw that I used benzos for anxiety along with a few weird questions I asked her about whether she'd use coke to keep awake (since it's a stimulant) stopped talking to me. It was gradual.

I think she also has a think against people with mental issues because I might have tol her about that.

I don't give them the chance to flee. ;) I don't tell anyone. :)

 

[406blue]

People don't need to be told you have depression in order to flee, they just usually need to see that it's the case. They certainly don't like to engage with it.

 

[tothemetalsickness]

Perhaps but good people will stick around no matter what.

 

[FullFat]

In my experience, anxiety has been less taboo than depression. A lot of my old acquaintances struggle with anxiety, but they cannot relate at all to depression. And, since my anxiety is more of a fight (anger) than a flight response, the overlap in our experiences was even smaller. I would not necessarily describe what they did as fleeing, more just not giving AF and acting like I was having a pity party. They could not and maybe never will understand my bone-deep pessimism. Even before I became clinically depressed, this difference in perspective was a problem with everyone I knew.

 

[Cee]

depends on how much time/effort they're willing to put into the relationship with you. Some people will hear you have depression and decide to take on the challenge and stick by your side. Others simply don't have the energy to deal with something like that.

 

[Angst Filled Fuck Up]

I regret having opened up to anyone about it in my own life. I think it's inevitable that you're viewed differently, handled with kid gloves, and talked down to. Believe me, I wish with all my heart that it wasn't the case, and you'd think we'd be further than all that in 2018, but sadly I don't feel that we are.

 

[Taylored]

Real friends never flee. Fakes always leave at the sight of trouble. But everybody has different experiences with people,

 

[Living_Ghost]

The majority will flee as quickly as they can. Others will slowly create distance .People in smaller communities will gossip behind your back and act weird to your face..The same assholes will post some crap picture on Facebook about supporting people with depression ,looking for likes to validate themselves and feel good.

 

[Trashcan]

It depends on the person. I quickly learned to keep it a secret because most people would run the other way.

 

[thetwilightzone]

It depends on the person. I quickly learned to keep it a secret because most people would run the other way.

Did they make it apparent?

What do you mean

 

[Trashcan]

Did they make it apparent?

What do you mean

I quickly learned sharing that I have depression was a one way ticket to lose friends and other people would also start avoiding me.

 

[AndyCurious]

With depression, you never loose friends, you just learn who the real ones are... Be depressed, and very few will look at you..
Fart on the bus, and everyone will look at you :p